Oregon lawmaker: Tax question stymied Google, Apple plans

PORTLAND — A state legislator promises quick action to settle uncertainty over utility taxes that some blame for decisions delaying two high-tech Oregon projects: a Google Fiber network in the Portland region and an expansion of Apple's server farm in Prineville.

Last fall, the state Supreme Court ruled that Oregon counties could keep $17 million in taxes paid by Comcast.

The court said it was OK for the state revenue department, not local assessors, to calculate the cable company's value for taxes.

State assessments are higher because they take into account intangibles such as a company's brand.

Democratic Sen. Mark Hass of Beaverton tells The Oregonian the ruling caused uncertainty about taxes on technology companies that will have to be sorted out when lawmakers meet next week.